Commemorating Culture, Connection & 10 Years of UCA WAVES

Wow. Over a week later, and we’re still reflecting on the incredible energy shared at WAVES’ recent Open House! Not only were we celebrating moving into our first office, but closing out a jam-packed AANHPI Heritage & Mental Health Awareness Month.

More than 65 community members, partners, youth, families, elected officials, advisors, and supporters gathered together, representing 10 AAPI diaspora communities, including Hmong, Karen, Chinese, Cantonese, Taiwanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, Nepali, and Indian communities. From origami making and Tai Chi to a recounting of WAVES’ history by Executive Director and Founder, Lily Chen, multiple generations came together in one space, reminding us of what WAVES has always strived to be: a connector.

We were honored to welcome several special guests, including Maria Cervania, NC General Assembly Representative and WAVES Board Member; TJ Cawley, Mayor of Morrisville; Cheryl Stallings, Wake County Commissioner; Shelia Reich from the Blue Cross NC Foundation; Ruby Brown-Herring of RBH Wellness Solutions and WAVES Advisor; Michelle Barrett, Program Manager for Seniors and Aging with the Town of Cary, NC; Christine Kushner, Wake County Commission candidate; Donald Hughes from the Town of Apex; and Mona Singh, Wake County Commissioner candidate. Additionally, we were delighted to welcome Jianping Yang, a board member of the Chinese American Friendship Association (CAFA), organizer of Taste of China, and Yun Chuu, President of Asian Focus NC, organizer of the Dragon Boat Festival. UCA WAVES will be a proud partner of these two major community events!

We are especially grateful for the continued support of the Blue Cross NC Foundation, whose funding helped support the completed two-year Identifying AAPI Health Priorities initiative, the three-year Youth Mental Health Grant, and multiple small grants supporting wellness programs, internships, and nonprofit management. These efforts reflect WAVES’ ongoing commitment to listening to our communities, identifying health priorities, and building culturally responsive resources that support AAPI youth and families.

One attendee made a comment that has stayed with us: they found the overwhelming enthusiasm of our volunteers inspiring. Why? Because ten years ago, WAVES began as a dream that no one would struggle alone. Today, we are a multi-dimensional nonprofit organization whose hope and passion for creating change is palpable.

To everyone who attended our Open House, who has believed in our work, or played a role in bringing our vision to life, thank you. We’ll never be able to properly express the true depth of our gratitude, but we’ll keep trying.

Sincerely,

💙 The UCA WAVES Team 💜